Conversation on the phone with a friend went along the lines of me telling him that I had this kick arse album that I thought he would like. I explained that it was primarily one guy Athenar who had brought out loads of splits, EP’s, compilations and live albums and sound wise it was a perfect mix of metal, punk and adrenaline fuelled rock. I then went on and told him that it all went under the name of Midnight and in true elitist fashion pointed out that I doubt he would have heard of them. A pause followed and then from the other end of the line came the words “Pete, I stayed at his gaff when we played with the Gates Of Slumber in the States.” “I have some of his other stuff that you mentioned if you want to hear it.” Well that obviously shut me the feck right up but apart from going off with tail between legs I was right about one thing, this is a kick ass album.
Apparently Athenar used to plug in and play using a backing tape although now it seems he has found some kindred spirits in the form of Count Zigar on drums and Filey The Kid on guitar. It also looks like he wears a hanging victim’s hood over his face and the group have the preponderance to set things on fire live.
The album might only be 30 minutes but it gets the job done perfectly and has you bouncing off the walls and all over the place as the first sleaze laden guitar line and raucous vocals of the title track come in. It’s pretty easy to mention the rock and roll of bands from yesteryear and name drop everyone from Motörhead to Venom along with the punk swagger of GG Allin and the blackened zeal of the likes of Nifelheim. ‘You Can’t Stop The Steel’ really does put the peddle to the metal and injects some classic NWOBHM riffs into the pounding song. This is one of many standout tracks which despite being slightly simple and uncomplicated have a precise and fantastic sense of melody, which will stay with you for an age. The head-banging drive of ‘Necromania’ is one solid song and is one I would love to witness live; chances of that this side of the pond no doubt remote. Another killer number is ‘Lust Filth And Sleaze’ the groups ‘Sex And Violence’ but far more dynamic than a drunken Exploited ever managed to achieve.
This has been getting a play a day since it turned up, the running time makes this easily achievable as does the spontaneity and incendiary nature of the songs. Pick it up and find yourself just as equally addicted.
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/midnight
Pete Woods
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